Is This A Mini Roundabout In Minnesota Or What?

I was on the lengthy road trip from Duluth to the St. Cloud area when we came across something I'd never seen before. This year they have what looks to be a makeshift roundabout in the middle of an intersection near I-35.

We ran into it when we exited for the Highway 23 exit to Mora south of Hinckley. Highway 23 intersects with Old Highway 61 just a block off the I-35 ramp. That's when we noticed a construction sign with a roundabout graphic on it.

We're getting to be pretty familiar with roundabouts in the state. I don't have a problem with them, but many people do. Usually, roundabouts are pretty big and require a complete redesign, so when I saw this smaller one it had me thinking.

Related: How Many Roundabouts Are There In Minnesota?

I checked the Minnesota Department of Transportation page, but I couldn't find any details on this section of the highway's construction. There are different types of roundabouts across the country. Maybe this is a new, easier way to put one in?

It didn't look like it took a ton of work, just putting in an elevated center and some repainting. It didn't look like they needed to add any more pavement.

Like it or not, roundabouts are here to stay and you'll be seeing more of them every year in Minnesota. MnDOT has done studies that show they reduce crashes and fatalities and improve traffic flow.

Now if we could just get everyone to understand how to use them.